(1) This chapter covers the operation of residential habilitation centers. The selection of persons to be served at the centers is governed by chapters 71A.16 and 71A.18 RCW. The purposes of this chapter are: To provide for those persons who are exceptional in their needs for care, treatment, and education by reason of developmental disabilities, residential care designed to develop their individual capacities to their optimum; to provide for admittance, withdrawal and discharge from state residential habilitation centers upon application; and to insure a comprehensive program for the education, guidance, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of all persons admitted to residential habilitation centers.

(2) Effective no later than July 1, 2012, no person under the age of sixteen years may be admitted to receive services at a residential habilitation center. Effective no later than July 1, 2012, no person under the age of twenty-one years may be admitted to receive services at a residential center, unless there are no service options available in the community to appropriately meet the needs of the individual. Such admission is limited to the provision of short-term respite or crisis stabilization services.

Findings—2011 1st sp.s. c 30: "The legislature finds that:

(1) A developmental disability is a natural part of human life and the presence of a developmental disability does not diminish a person's rights or the opportunity to participate in the life of the local community;

(2) The system of services for people with developmental disabilities should provide a balanced range of health, social, and supportive services at home or in other residential settings. The receipt of services should be coordinated so as to minimize administrative cost and service duplication, and eliminate unnecessarily complex system organization;

(3) The public interest would best be served by a broad array of services that would support people with developmental disabilities at home or in the community, whenever practicable, and that promote individual autonomy, dignity, and choice;

(4) In Washington state, people living in residential habilitation centers and their families are satisfied with the services they receive, and deserve to continue receiving services that meet their needs if they choose to receive those services in a community setting;

(5) As other care options for people with developmental disabilities become more available, the relative need for residential habilitation center beds is likely to decline. The legislature recognizes, however, that residential habilitation centers will continue to be a critical part of the state's long-term care options; and that such services should promote individual dignity, autonomy, and a home-like environment; and

(6) In a time of fiscal restraint, the state should consider the needs of all persons with developmental disabilities and spend its limited resources in a manner that serves more people, while not compromising the care people require." [ 2011 1st sp.s. c 30 s 1.]

Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 30: "It is the intent of the legislature that:

(1) Community-based residential services supporting people with developmental disabilities should be available in the most integrated setting appropriate to individual needs; and

(2) An extensive transition planning and placement process should be used to ensure that people moving from a residential habilitation center to a community setting have the services and supports needed to meet their assessed health and welfare needs." [ 2011 1st sp.s. c 30 s 2.]

Conflict with federal requirements—2011 1st sp.s. c 30: "If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state." [ 2011 1st sp.s. c 30 s 14.]